Pembrolizumab approved to treat lung cancer

On January 26, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pembrolizumab for the adjuvant treatment of stage IB (T2a≥4cm), stage II or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after resection and platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary efficacy outcome measure was investigator-assessed disease-free survival (DFS), and one trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in DFS in the overall population.

The recommended dose is 200 mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks until disease relapse, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 12 months. In an exploratory subgroup analysis of 167 patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, the DFS hazard ratio was 1.25. For patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, the median DFS was 58.7 months in the pembrolizumab group and 34.9 months in the placebo group. Adverse reactions observed were generally similar to those seen in other patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving pembrolizumab monotherapy, with the exception of hypothyroidism (22%), hyperthyroidism (11%), and pneumonitis (7%).

PembrolizumabThe original drug is already on the market in China. SpecificationsThe price per box of 100mg/4ml may be around RMB 15,000. This drug is a strictly controlled drug and has not yet been included in medical insurance. Pembrolizumab The price of the European version of the original drug 100mg/4ml per box may be around RMB 25,000, and the price of the Turkish version of 100mg/4ml per box may be around 10,000 RMB (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of the original drugs at home and abroad are basically the same, and they are expensive. There are currently no generic versions of Pembrolizumab available overseas.